Reduction of Chloromycetin by a Cell-free Bacterial Extract and its Relation to Nitrite Reduction

Abstract

Smith and Worrel¹ reported that the nitro-group of chloromycetin is reduced to an amino-group by the action of intact cells of certain bacteria. Recently, we have been able to achieve enzymic reduction of the nitro-group of the antibiotic by a cell-free extract from Streptococcus hœmolyticus. Further investigation with this preparation has provided strong evidence suggesting that the enzyme system responsible for this reduction may be identical with the nitrite reductase system first discovered by Yamagata² in an autolysate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The present communication gives a brief report on these investigations.